title: Poly-L-lactic acid rod fixation results in foot surgery.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and possible complications of polylactic absorbable devices in surgical procedures involving fixation of the foot. This was a prospective study in which biodegradable rods of poly-L-lactide were used in the fixation of 41 metatarsal osteotomies and digital arthrodeses and one midtarsal fusion in 23 patients. The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 23 months. Ages ranged from 18 to 70 years with a mean age of 42 years. Clinical and radiographic examination was scheduled for each patient postoperatively at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The gender distribution was 18 female and 5 males. Two patients who had three procedures were lost to follow-up. All of the procedures were evaluated for failure of fixation, radiographic osteolysis, foreign-body reaction, sinus formation, and infection. We noted one failure of fixation and two complications unrelated to the type of fixation. There were no foreign-body reactions, sinus formulations, or infections. We conclude that the poly-L-lactic acid rod is a viable method of fixation for these procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatric Surgery, California College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco 94115, USA.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)